Thinking about College (Vanity)

Me

[AVNevis]

This is a FReep mail I received from Ken5050. I'm posting it here so I have all the advice in 1 place for future reference.

"I found your thread interesting, and thought I would offer some perspective that might be of help..

My two daughters are both out of college, now married..they're 27 & 29..but I was very involved in their college application process..of necessity..and learned some things which may, just may, help you..

1. Most likely your HS guidance department will be worthless to you in your search. You have to do the heavy lifting yourself..doing the research.

2. Whule I would not necessarily agree with your decisions to avoid out of state, or private schools..( and with your GPA..a scholarship is possible.. even ROTC?..looks good on the political resume...military service..)

the environment and location of your school is paramount...do you want to be close enought o home to be able to come back for a weekend? That's probably a max of 200-250 miles distance from your home. That was important to my girls..it may not be so for you..

do you want an urban school..in the city..or a suburban setting..or a real traditional "campus" life experience..It's where you're gonna be spending 4 years..so the environment is important..

These two criteria will help you to narrow your choices..then you can look at other aspects of your decision..

FYI..many schools have programs for prospective attendees whereby they can spend a long weekend 3-4 days.on campus..live with some students in their rooms..attend classes..get a feel of the place..very much recomend it.

Both my duaghters ended up at schools that were originally NOT on their hot lists..both had wonderful 4 year college experiences..

regards."

[AVNevis]

Thank you.

[AVNevis]

I agree with just about everything you said. And, yes, I am looking forward to debating the professors.

[GOP_Raider]

Three Words: University of Utah. :)

[durasell]

A couple of things about deep springs. It only accepts the brilliant and the driven. It's one of the few (if not only) junior college that the Ivy League actually and aggressively recruits from each year. It's all male and tiny. And if you've ever wanted to be a cowboy, it's the place for you.

[AVNevis]

Thanks, but I'm looking for a bigger school.

[durasell]

Okey-dokey -- but you gotta admit you've never seen a school like that before...

[dr_pat]

Hey, Berkeley is the place, then. They're master debaters there.

My daughter went to a trade school in downtown SF for a year and a half. Her dorm was just around the corner from one of the sleaziest bars... The worst thing she had happen was getting knocked down by a yuppie bicyclist as she crossed the street!

So don't worry too much about the environs. Take care and be sensible, and you'll do fine, barring the kind of stuff that can happen wherever you live.

[AVNevis]

As, I said earlier, I actually like the Berkley campus. My first reaction to the city is negative, but I hear it's not so bad after you get to know it.

[GVnana]

Hmm. So did Julie Eisenhower. At least the place has SOME conservative pedigree!

[AVNevis]

we'll I'm not planning on going to a graduate school so you can stop bickering if you wish.

[Professional Engineer]

My initial reaction to your post was, "What for?". I think perhaps leaving you with something to ponder may be of greater benefit.

I've been reading John Adams. by David McCullough. This an excerpt from a letter sent by John Adams to his son, John Quincy Adams:

Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not. A young man should weigh well his plans. Integrity should be preserved in all events, as essential to his happiness, through every stage of his existence. His first maxim should be to place his honor out of reach of all men. In order to do this he must make it a rule never to become dependent on public employments for subsistence. Let him have a trade, a profession, a farm, a shop, something where he can honestly live, and then he may engage in public affairs, if invited, upon independent principles. My advice to my children is to maintain an independent character.

[AVNevis]

I will get a real job. Last time I checked a Capitol staffer is a real job. And quite frankly a politician is just as much of a job as a lawyer.

[AVNevis]

I would not be dependant on a "public employment." If I were to be voted out then I could just do something like go be a talk show host or something. Rarely have I seen a career politician, and there are many on both sides of the aisle, starve because he can't find a job.

[boris]

I think UC Riverside would be about right if you cannot spell 'scholarship'.

[AVNevis]

As I said earlier, that's what you get when you type fast.

[Roots]

Sorry, but that is Completely Silly! My 4 kids went through Community College (California) and 3 of them went through Graduate Schools including Yale, Oxford, U of Cal Hastings (Law School), and Uppsala University (Sweden). The other one is an Airline Captain and former USAF supersonic flight Instructor. Community College didn't hurt them at all.

Well, I'm currently a premedical student with a 3.95, excellent everything and have been told by numerous advisers and other students that my community college courses are given less importance in the eyes of admissions committees. However, I doubt it will actually come down to me vs. somebody else that didn't attend a CC, seems like a very unlikely situation, but I wouldn't completely write off the disadvantage.